The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1887-02-19
SlipVleGk at Hl0!!
THE BRIGANTINE "SELlNA "
DRIVEN ASHORE.
The Vessel a Total Loss, but
no Lives Lost.

tcCiiu0s W
Captain Matson, appeared off Iilo
harbor. She had made prosperous
voyage of twelve days from San
Francisco, and all seemed to be
going we'll. But when she reached
the point where she usually crosses
the reef and enters the harbor the
wind first died out and then sprung
up in different direction. The
Captain dropped anchors and took
in sail with all possible speed, his
men working nobly. But the shore
was too close and the wind too
strong. Lurching upon the heavy
sea with which she had to battle, the
good ship parted one chain, and
dragged one anchor, and was vio-
lcntly cast upon the rocks directly
off Haaheo.
The passengers on board at the
time were the Rev. A. w. Burt and
wife, Mrs. Gillin, Mrs. Ferris, Miss
Low, Mr.. McChesney, Mrs. G. w.
Patty and infant, and Master Marcus
Blackman. Mr.. Will Scott was also
on board, having gone out in a boat
which had returned to Hilo just as
it was getting dark and scarcely half
an hour before the wreck.
No delay was made in doing all
that seemed possible for the safety
of the passengers. A boat was
lowered and forthwith cast upon the
rocks and made into kindling wood.
Another was lowered, and with
better success. The second officer,
Ipson, and two able seamen sue
ceeded in boarding her. Then
Master Blackman and the cabin boy
got in. Then an effort was made to
get Mrs. Patty and her baby in, but
this was only q partial success. The
baby came down in the boat and the
mother in the sea. She was hauled
up into the ship again, preparation
having been made for such an emer-
gency, and the idea of taking pas
sengers ashore in the boat was
abandoned. But the baby was still
in the boat and the mother did not
see her again for several hours. The
noise was so great that communica-
ton between those in the boat and
those on the vessel was cut off.
Those in the boat stood by to pick
up any one who might be thrown
into the sea by accident. But no
such service was required of them.
After tbs lapse of a period
variously estimated, but probably
three hours after the lowering of the
boat, those left OH board the vessel
succeeded in throwing line to Mr..
H. r.. Hitchcock, who had gone out
as far into the water toward the
vessel as it was possible. This was
fastened to a huge rock and by
means of bowline all got ashore
safe but not by any means dry.
Meanwhile Epson and his men
were left in uncertainty as to the
plans of the others and consequently
as to their own duty; for nothing
could be seen through the almost
tangible darkness. But judging
from the indistinct shouts and cries
which they heard, they thought they
were all safe and it was time to go
ashore. So they started for a row
of two and half miles to the Wal
akea landing; for it was too rough
to land at Hilo wharf. Their boat
was without rowlocks and they had
but three oars and one bucket aboard
now, for they had met with many
mishaps in their long stay about the
vessel. But they reached the shore
in safety. All coats were around
the baby, and she was apparently
happy. The mother was happy too
when she saw her child safe and
sound on land. In fact everybody
was happy. Hilo was ready for a
real Praise Service.
But the hardships of the sea were
not all that was to be endured. A
long and hard climb was necessary
in order to get up the steep precipice
which rose almost from the very sea
at the point where the wreck oc.
Cured. This was followed by Q
ride on horse back over such roads
as only systematic and persistent
neglect can produce even in Hilo
district. All together made very
hard strain upon those who had to
endure them, and it is not matter
of surprise that the women are al
almost Frustrated. But none of then
seem likely to be seriously ill.
Every sailor proved himself t
man. Their conduct was in marked
contrast to that of native crew
who went out to take custom hous'
guard to the Selma before she wa
known to be in any danger. Whel
they got near enough to her to SCI
that she was in the breakers, the!
aoolly turned about and returned t.
Hilo. Tolerably honest men ant
tolerably courageous men are apt t
, fail at just the wrong time.
, All OF the passengers got ashor
between 8 and 10 O'Clock, and til
!. vessel was left under guard unit
Saturday morning when the work @
saving the cargo began. This wa
r a day for sitting men, and the wises
a philosopher would have been SUI
Drised TO see what men were left !